Maidstone Borough Local Plan Publication (Regulation 19) February 2016 Boxley Parish Council Briefing Note

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1 Context. Author: Parish Clerk 2 March 2016 Once adopted the Maidstone Borough Local Plan (henceforth referred to as MBLP) sets the framework for development in the Borough until The local plan: Sets out the scale and distribution of development; Identifies, by site, where development will be located; Identifies where development will be constrained; and Explains how the council and its partners will deliver the plan. The full consultation document is published on the Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) website or can be forwarded from the parish office. A paper copy is also available to consult at the parish office. The public consultation closes at 5 p.m. on Friday 18 March. The MBLP must take account of a number of relevant national and local plans and strategies and policies of the plan must be supported by a robust evidence base. Further details of the requirements can be found in the MBLP document: Key Influences (page 5). National policy and guidance (page 5). Local plans and strategies (page 5). The evidence base (page 6). Sustainability appraisal and habitat regulations assessment (page 6). Duty to Cooperate (page 7). Tests of soundness (page 7). This local plan is the version of the plan that Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) intends to submit to the Secretary of State for Communities and local Government. All representations made during this consultation period will also be submitted to the Secretary of State who will appoint an inspector to independently examine the local plan in public. In producing this document the Clerk has made a number of judgements on what should be included and omitted. The parish council response to the MBLP 2014 Regulation 18 consultation members was used to identify the key issues of interest to members. With the inclusion of the full list of policies with reference and page numbers members can look up the actual document to see if there is anything that they feel is missing they can t ask the Clerk to produce a brief. The methodology used to produce the briefing note was as follows: Identification of the policies within the document that did not specifically refer to or impact on the parish. Identification of the policies that specifically impact on the parish (some of these are included in their entirety. Page 1 of 21

2 Cross check of the previous parish council response to the Regulation 18 consultation (the first draft of the MBLP) against the Regulation 19 document to identify. any points that were not taken up by MBC. Common sense decision on what to include in the briefing note. Due to the need of MBC to meet strict evidence based etc. criteria the parish council may not be able to influence the Public Inquiry Inspector to change the submitted plan however it has the right to request changes. Unless a councillor requires otherwise there is currently no plan to comment on policies shown in brackets as they do not specifically impact on this parish. Arrangements can be made to supply a briefing on any of the bracketed policies also shown in grey. Page 2 of 21

3 Title Page Note Spatial portrait 9 3.(Spatial portrait) 9 Key local issues (Extract from MBLP) 1. Where, when and how much development will be distributed throughout the borough; 2. Maintenance of the distinct character and identity of villages and the urban area; 3. Protection of the built and natural heritage, including the Kent Downs AONB and its setting and areas of local landscape value; 4. Provision of strategic and local infrastructure to support new development and growth including a sustainable Integrated Transport Strategy, adequate water supply, sustainable waste management, energy infrastructure, and social infrastructure such as health, schools and other educational facilities; 5. Improvements to quality of air within the air quality management area (AQMA); 6. Regeneration of the town centre and areas of social and environmental deprivation; 7. Redressing the low wage economy by expanding the employment skills base to target employment opportunities; 8. Meeting housing needs by delivering affordable housing, local needs housing, accommodation for the elderly, accommodation to meet Gypsy and Traveller needs, and accommodation to meet rural housing needs; 9. Promotion of the multi-functional nature of the borough s open spaces, rivers and other watercourses; 10. Ensuring that all new development is built to a high standard of sustainable design and construction; and 11. Ensuring that applications for development adequately address: i. the impact of climate change, ii. the issues of flooding and water supply, and iii. the need for dependable infrastructure for the removal of sewage and waste water. 10 Included for information. Local issues identified contain the issues that members previously identified as important. It is therefore suggested that no comment is made. Page 3 of 21

4 Spatial vision 11 The vision and objectives mirror what is produced in Policy SS1 so comments are made there. item 6 of this vision The distinctive character of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting and the setting of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, together with the landscape quality of the Areas of Local Landscape Value and the openness of the Metropolitan Green Belt, will be rigorously conserved, maintained and enhanced; There is no mention of a strategic gap between Maidstone and Medway Towns to stop coalescing of the urban areas. The countryside between the two areas is not a green belt and has not received (from MBC) the definition of an Area of Local Landscape Value. The reference to The distinctive character of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting does not include the Medway Gap (Capstone, Darland and Lidsing). The definition of the setting is the view from below and from the top of the scarp Whilst the Medway Gap is mentioned within Policy SS1 it is suggested that for this vision (and also repeated for the Spatial Objectives) that members may wish to comment Suggested response. The lack of a specific mention of the Medway Gap, which stops the coalescence of Maidstone and the Medway Towns, weakens this vision. (Spatial objectives) Suggested response. Item 6. The lack of a specific mention of the Medway Gap, which stops the coalescence of Maidstone and the Medway Towns, weakens this objective. 4. Spatial strategy 15 Policy SS1 Maidstone Borough spatial strategy (Extract from MBLP) Maidstone Borough spatial strategy Page 4 of Members attention is drawn to

5 1. Between 2011 and 2031 provision is made through the granting of planning permissions and the allocation of sites for: i. 18,560 new dwellings; ii. 187 Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 11 Travelling Showpeople plots; iii. 39,830m2 floorspace for office use; iv. 20,290m2 floorspace for industrial use; v. 49,911m2 floorspace for warehousing use; vi. 98,000m2 floorspace for medical use; vii. 6,100m2 floorspace for retail use (convenience goods); and viii. 23,700m2 floorspace for retail use (comparison goods). 2. New land allocations that contribute towards meeting the above provisions are identified on the policies map. 3. An expanded Maidstone urban area will be the principal focus for development in the borough. Best use will be made of available sites within the urban area. Regeneration is prioritised within the town centre, which will continue to be the primary retail and office location in the borough. Strategic locations to the north west and south east of the Spatial strategy urban area provide for substantial residential development and junction 7 of the M20 motorway is identified as a strategic location for additional business provision in association with a new medical campus. 4. A prestigious business park at Junction 8 of the M20 that is well connected to the motorway network will provide for a range of job needs up to 2031, and will help to diversify the range of sites available to new and expanding businesses in the borough to help accommodate future demand. 5. Harrietsham, Headcorn, Lenham, Marden and Staplehurst rural service centres will be the secondary focus for housing development with the emphasis on maintaining and enhancing their role and the provision of services to meet the needs of the local community. Suitably scaled employment opportunities will also be permitted. 6. The larger villages of Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Eyhorne Street (Hollingbourne), Sutton Valence and Yalding will be locations for limited housing development consistent with the scale and role of the villages. 7. Broad locations for significant housing growth likely to come forward in the later phases of the plan period are identified at Invicta Park Barracks, in Item 3. For information. Item 4. For information. Item 9. This is of specific importance to Boxley Parish Council 9. In other locations, protection will be given to the rural character of the borough avoiding coalescence between settlements, including Maidstone and surrounding villages, and Maidstone and the Medway Gap/Medway Towns conurbation. Page 5 of 21

6 the town centre and at Lenham. 8. Suitably scaled employment opportunities will be permitted at appropriate locations to support the rural economy (in accordance with policy DM41). 9. In other locations, protection will be given to the rural character of the borough avoiding coalescence between settlements, including Maidstone and surrounding villages, and Maidstone and the Medway Gap/Medway Towns conurbation. 10. The green and blue network of multi-functional open spaces, rivers and water courses will generally be maintained and enhanced where appropriate; and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting, the setting of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and landscapes of local value will be conserved and maintained. 11. Supporting infrastructure will be brought forward in a timely way to provide for the needs arising from development. Key diagram 23 Included as appendix 1. It will help members identify some of the issues referred to in the document. 5. Spatial policies 24 (Policy SP1 Maidstone urban area) 24 (Policy SP2 Maidstone urban area: north west strategic development location) 26 (Policy SP3 Maidstone urban area: south east strategic development location) 28 (Policy SP4 Maidstone town centre) 3 1 (Policy SP5 Rural service centres) (Policy SP6 Harrietsham Rural Service Centre through to Policy SP16 Yalding Larger Village) Policy SP17 Countryside The countryside is defined as all those parts of the plan area outside the settlement boundaries of the Maidstone urban area, rural service centres and larger villages defined on the policies map. 1. Provided proposals do not harm the character and appearance of an area, Page 6 of In the previous draft members had concern that this policy would not be strong enough to protect countryside. With most of the parish covered by the AONB the area that is outside of this protection is The Medway Gap (Capstone, Darland and Lidsing).

7 the following types of development will be permitted in the countryside: i. Small-scale economic development, including development related to tourism and open-air recreation, through: a. The re-use or extension of existing buildings; b. The expansion of existing businesses; or c. Farm diversification schemes; ii. Small-scale residential development necessary to: a. Meet a proven essential need for a rural worker to live permanently at or near their place of work; b. Meet a proven need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation; or c. Meet local housing needs; and iii. Development demonstrated to be necessary for agriculture or forestry. 2. Where proposals meet criterion 1, development in the countryside will be permitted if: i. The type, siting, materials and design, mass and scale of development and the level of activity maintains, or where possible, enhances local distinctiveness including landscape features; and ii. Impacts on the appearance and character of the landscape can be appropriately mitigated. Suitability and required mitigation will be assessed through the submission of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments to support development proposals in appropriate circumstances. 3. The loss of local shops and community facilities which serve villages will be resisted. In all cases, another beneficial community use should be sought before permission is granted for the removal of these facilities; 4. Proposals will be supported which facilitate the efficient use of the borough's significant agricultural land and soil resource provided any adverse impacts on the appearance and character of the landscape can be appropriately mitigated; 5. The distinctive character of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting, the setting of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the extent and openness of the Metropolitan Green Belt will be rigorously conserved, maintained and enhanced where Areas of Local Landscape Importance (ALLI) has now been replaced with Landscapes of local value 5.83 The council will seek to conserve or enhance its valued landscapes. The Kent Downs AONB and High Weald AONB and their settings and other sites of European and national importance are considered to be covered by appropriate existing policy protection in the National Planning Policy Framework, National Planning Practice Guidance and other legislation. As well as this national policy guidance and statutory duty, the settings of the Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs are also afforded protection through the criteria of policy SP17 and no additional designation is therefore necessary. In addition to these areas, the borough does include significant tracts of landscape which are highly sensitive to significant change. Landscapes of local value have been identified and judged according to criteria relating to their character and sensitivity: i. Part of a contiguous area of high quality landscape; ii. Significant in long distance public views and skylines; iii. Locally distinctive in their field patterns, geological and other landscape features; iv. Ecologically diverse and significant; v. Preventing the coalescence of settlements which would undermine their character; vi. Identified through community engagement; vii. Providing a valued transition from town to countryside. Suggested response. It is considered that this policy Is not significantly robust to protect agricultural land; this policy needs the inclusion of a statement to ensure agricultural land remains available for food production. Item 5. The lack of protection of the Medway Gap, Page 7 of 21

8 appropriate; 6. The Greensand Ridge, Medway Valley, Len Valley, Loose Valley, and Low Weald as defined on the policies map, will be conserved, maintained and enhanced where appropriate as landscapes of local value; 7. Development in the countryside will retain the setting of and separation of individual settlements; and 8. Natural and historic assets, including characteristic landscape features, wildlife and water resources, will be protected from damage with any unavoidable impacts mitigated. Account should be taken of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan and the Maidstone Borough Landscape Character Guidelines supplementary planning document. 6. (Housing site allocations) (Policy H1 Housing site allocations) (Detailed site allocation policies for housing) (H1(1) to H1 (68)) Barring H1(30) (H2 Broad locations for housing growth) 8. (Open space allocations) 162 (Policy OS1 Strategic open space allocations) Broad locations for housing growth 164 (Policy H2(1) to H2(3)) 10. (Detailed policies for broad locations for housing growth) 167 (Policy H2(1) to H2 (3)) 11. (Gypsy and Traveller site allocations) 170 (Policy GT1 to GT1(16) (Detailed site allocations for Gypsy and traveller accommodation) 170 (Policy GT1) 13 Retail and mixed use site allocations 181 which stops the coalescence of Maidstone and the Medway Towns, is of great concern. Failure to protect what was a strategic gap and Area of Local Landscape Importance is a significant weakness in this document. Item 6. The parish council considers that the Medway Gap, Walderslade Woods and Beechen Bank meet the requirement for Landscapes of Local Value. The fact that MBC failed to consult or work with this parish council when deciding on the areas that would be covered by LLV status is deplored. The MBC decision not to realign the urban boundary at Lordswood and Walderslade is of concern to the parish council. For Information. The only allocations are the 35 dwellings on land west of Eclipse, Maidstone. H1(30). Page 8 of 21

9 Retail and mixed use site allocations (Extract from MBLP) Newnham Park 13.2 Newnham Park is a 28.6 hectare site located to the north of the urban area adjacent to junction 7 of the M20 motorway. Newnham Court Shopping Village dominates the western part of the allocated site, and the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (KIMS) hospital is located on the northern perimeter of the site served by a new access road. Expanded hospital facilities and associated development to form a medical campus will create a specialist knowledge cluster that will attract a skilled workforce to support the council's vision for economic prosperity Newnham Court Shopping Village has been developed (and continues to develop) in a piecemeal fashion over time and, consequently, the visual appearance of this site is poor. The inclusion of the Shopping Village with the medical campus as part of the allocation will deliver a comprehensively planned development that will provide quality buildings in a parkland setting A rectangular field of approximately three hectares to the south east of the development site is identified for new woodland planting, to be developed as a parkland nature reserve and transferred into the ownership of a trust to ensure its long term maintenance. This field offers the opportunity to provide for net gains in biodiversity and ecological connectivity between the large expanses of ancient woodland Newnham Park is located in the countryside and lies within the setting of the nationally designated Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), where particular attention needs to be paid to conserving and enhancing the distinctive character of the landscape. Existing landscape features within the site boundaries should be retained where possible, and the site is subject to tree preservation orders. There are constraints to development particularly along boundaries adjacent to the Local Wildlife Site/ancient woodland where a landscape buffer of between 15m and 30m will be required, together with a minimum 15m landscape buffer to be planted each side of the stream running through the site. Most of the site is of limited ecological value, the areas of interest primarily focused at the edges of the site and along the stream Building heights will be restricted across the whole site to two storeys. Exceptionally there are two locations within the site where modestly 181 As this is the major development site within the parish the section dealing with this site (the background information and then the policy) has been reproduced. Note. Confirmation was received from MBC that the shopping village part of the site was not part of the Business Enterprise Zone. Members are aware that the site will be developed in its fullness and that Newnham Shopping Village can be replaced and this policy highlights what should be going on the sites. Item Critical to the successful development of Newnham Park is the provision of appropriate transport infrastructure. Vehicular access to the site will be taken from the New Cut roundabout, with bus and emergency access from the A249 Sittingbourne Road. A bus interchange will be provided as part of the retail development, together with a car park management plan. A Travel Plan will be required to accompany a planning application. Permeability is an important aspect of the site's development, and enhanced pedestrian and cycle links to the residential areas of Grove Green, Vinters Park and Penenden Heath, and to Eclipse Business Park, will be provided. Suggested response. Item 13.9 should include reference to transport links to Bearsted and the train station. Page 9 of 21

10 higher buildings may be achievable. The first of these lies towards the north of the site, immediately west of the stream and south of the KIMS phase 1 development where the site topography would enable a building of up to 4 storeys to be achieved. The second location is at the entrance to the site where buildings of up to three storeys would be acceptable. In all cases buildings should be designed and sited to respond to the site s undulating topography and should avoid any significant site levelling in the creation of development platforms for example by the use of terracing The medical campus will deliver up to 100,000m2 of specialist medical facilities and associated uses, of which 25,000m2 will provide for related offices and research and development. Appropriate uses on the site will include hospital or healthcare facilities, specialist rehabilitation services, medical related research and development, central laboratory facilities, and medical training. Medical facilities to the west of the existing stream will be delivered in advance of those being provided on land to the east of the stream The regeneration and revitalisation of Maidstone's town centre is a priority and the town centre will continue to be the primary retail and office location in the borough. Development will predominantly comprise replacement premises for the existing garden centre and for the shops already established on-site (equating to some 14,300m2) and a limited amount of additional floorspace at Newnham Court Shopping Village (up to 700m2) within the vicinity of the existing retail footprint, as shown on the policies map. Restrictions on the type of goods sold and the class A and D2 uses operating should ensure that the Village is complementary rather than in conflict with the vitality and viability of the town centre and should ensure that the character and appearance of the area is consistent with its sensitive location. The town centre functions successfully due to the mix of uses in close proximity to each other. Consequently, new additional non-retail floorspace (i.e. that which does not fall within use class A1) at Newnham Park, such as cafés, restaurants and public houses, together with banks and estate agents, are unlikely to be acceptable. Similarly, leisure uses such as cinemas and bowling alleys, and other uses that are likely to conflict with the town centre, will not be permitted. Subject to restrictions on the type of goods sold, retail premises that have a unique and recognised "out of town" Page 10 of 21

11 format, such as homeware offers, could be acceptable on the allocated site provided conflict with town centre uses would be unlikely. The height and bulk of the retail units will need to be controlled in this sensitive landscape location and for this reason conventional retail warehouse style buildings will not be acceptable. In order to assess the impact of proposals on the town centre, a retail impact assessment will be required Critical to the successful development of Newnham Park is the provision of appropriate transport infrastructure. Vehicular access to the site will be taken from the New Cut roundabout, with bus and emergency access from the A249 Sittingbourne Road. A bus interchange will be provided as part of the retail development, together with a car park management plan. A Travel Plan will be required to accompany a planning application. Permeability is an important aspect of the site's development, and enhanced pedestrian and cycle links to the residential areas of Grove Green, Vinters Park and Penenden Heath, and to Eclipse Business Park, will be provided. Policy RMX 1 Retail and mixed use allocations The sites allocated under policies RMX1(1) to RMX1(4) will deliver a mix of retail, employment and housing development to meet the borough's needs. The sites provide for approximately 463 dwellings (accounted for in the total housing land supply under policy H1), 26,400m2 retail floorspace and 108,600m2 employment floorspace. Development will be permitted provided the criteria for each site set out in the detailed site allocation policies are met. 185 It is suggested that there is no comment to RMX Detailed site allocation policies for retail and mixed use 186 Policy RMX1 (1) Newnham Park, Bearsted Road, Maidstone Newnham Park, as shown on the policies map, is allocated for a medical campus of up to 100,000m2, a replacement retail centre of up to 15,000m2 and a nature reserve. A development brief, to be approved by the council, will detail the way in which medical facilities, retail redevelopment and the nature reserve, together with integral landscaping and supporting infrastructure, are delivered in an integrated and coordinated manner. Planning permission will be granted if the following criteria are met. Page 11 of 21 Members are extremely concerned about the need for an appropriate transport infrastructure and Suggested response. Items 13 and 23 should include reference to transport links to Bearsted and the train station.

12 Design and layout 1. Phased provision of a maximum of 100,000m2 of specialist medical facilities set within an enhanced landscape structure of which 25,000m2 will provide for associated offices and research and development. 2. Provision of a replacement garden centre and replacement retail premises of up to 14,300m2 gross retail floorspace and additional provision of retail floorspace not exceeding 700m2 gross retail floorspace which is not to be used for the sale of clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery and watches. All replacement and additional retail floorspace shall be confined to the vicinity of the existing footprint of the current retail area as shown on the policies map. New additional non-a1 floorspace will not be appropriate. The retail development should include the provision of a bus interchange and a car park management plan. 3. Creation of a parkland nature reserve of approximately 3 hectares on land to the south east of the site, as shown on the policies map, and through a legal agreement transferred to a Trust. 4. Construction of buildings of high quality design in a sustainable form that reflect the site's prime location as a gateway to Maidstone. 5. Mitigation of the impact of development on the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting through: i. The provision of new structural and internal landscaping to be phased in advance of development; ii. The retention and enhancement of existing planting. Where the loss of selected existing planting is unavoidable, appropriate compensatory planting must be provided; iii. The use of the topography in site layout plans to exclude development on the higher, more visually prominent parts of the site; iv. The restriction of building heights across the whole site to a maximum of two storeys. Exceptionally a building of up to 4 storeys could be accommodated on the land adjacent to the existing KIMS (phase 1) development to the immediate west of the stream and buildings of up to 3 storeys could be accommodated at the entrance to the site; v. The use of low level lighting; and vi. The use of green roofs where practical. 6. Medical facilities on land to the west of the existing stream will be Page 12 of 21

13 delivered in advance of medical facilities on land to the east of the stream. 7. The additional retail floorspace must be of an out of town format that is complementary to town centre uses and, by means of a sequential sites assessment, demonstrably require an out of town location. Large scale retail warehousing style buildings will not be acceptable in this sensitive landscape location. 8. Submission of a retail impact assessment which clearly demonstrates that the retail development has no significant adverse impact on town and local centres. 9. Provision of a landscape buffer of between 15m and 30m in width along the northern and eastern boundaries of the site in order to protect Ancient Woodland, with tracts of planting extending into the body of the development. 10. Provision of a landscaped buffer of a minimum 15m in width on both sides of the existing stream running north-south through the site (minimum 30m width in total), in order to enhance the amenity and biodiversity of this water body. 11. Submission of a full landscape assessment to be approved by the council. Access 12. Vehicular access to the site from the New Cut roundabout, with bus and emergency access from the A249 Sittingbourne Road. 13. Enhanced pedestrian and cycle links to the residential areas of Grove Green, Vinters Park and Penenden Heath, and to Eclipse Business Park. 14. Submission of a Travel Plan, to include a car park travel plan, to be approved by the Borough Council. Archaeology 15. Provision of a watching archaeological brief in order to protect any heritage assets found on-site. Ecology 16. Submission of an ecology survey and detailed mitigation measures. Highways and transportation 17. Submission of a full Transport Assessment to identify off-site highway improvements to serve the development, to be secured in a phased manner by the provision of infrastructure or through contributions by means of a signed legal agreement prior to the commencement of development. Page 13 of 21

14 18. Capacity improvements and signalisation of Bearsted roundabout and capacity improvements at New Cut roundabout. Provision of a new signal pedestrian crossing and the provision of a combined foot/cycle way between these two roundabouts. 19. Traffic signalisation of the M20 J7 roundabout, widening of the coast bound off-slip and creation of a new signal controlled pedestrian route through the junction. 20. Capacity improvements at M2 J5 (located in Swale Borough). 21. Upgrading of Bearsted Road to a dual carriageway between Bearsted roundabout and New Cut roundabout. 22. Increased frequency of 333 / 334 route to provide a bus service with 15 minute intervals between the site and the town centre, potentially to include the provision of bus priority measures on New Cut Road to include traffic signals at the junction with the A20 Ashford Road. 23. Improved bus links to the site from the residential areas of Grove Green and Penenden Heath. (RMX1(2) to RMX 1(4)) 15. (Employment site allocations) 194 (Policy EMP1 Employment site allocations. (EMP1(1) to EMP1(5)) 16. (Detailed site allocation policies for employment) 197 (Policy EMP1 Employment site allocations. (EMP1(1) to EMP1(5)) Development management policies for Maidstone Borough 202 (Policy DM1 Principles of good design) 202 (Policy DM2 Sustainable design) 205 Policy DM3 Historic and natural environment Historic and natural environment 1. To enable Maidstone borough to retain a high quality of living and to be able to respond to the effects of climate change, developers will ensure that new development protects and enhances the historic and natural environment, where appropriate, by incorporating measures to: i. Protect positive historic and landscape character, heritage assets and their settings, areas of Ancient Woodland, veteran trees, trees with significant amenity value, important hedgerows, features of biological or geological Page 14 of 21 Some of the developments (Woodcut Farm and Mote Rd) may have a knock on effect on the parish however this should be dealt with in the response to the Integrated Transport Strategy response. 205 This policy deals with the historic environment, Green and blue infrastructure, climate change, water framework directive, biodiversity and landscape. Members may wish to make a comment. Suggested response. Whilst Boxley Parish Council welcomes the policy it deplores the fact that MBC did not choose to identify more green corridors and has failed to work with this parish council to give protection to areas that should

15 interest, and the existing public rights of way network from inappropriate development and ensure that these assets do not suffer any adverse impacts as a result of development; ii. Avoid damage to and inappropriate development considered likely to have significant adverse effects on: a. Cultural heritage assets protected by international, national or local designation and other non-designated heritage assets recognised for their archaeological, architectural or historic significance, or their settings; b. Internationally, nationally and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity; and c. Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats. iii. Control pollution to protect ground and surface waters where necessary and mitigate against the deterioration of water bodies and adverse impacts on Groundwater Source Protection Zones, and/or incorporate measures to improve the ecological status of water bodies as appropriate; iv. Enhance, extend and connect designated sites of importance for biodiversity, priority habitats and fragmented Ancient Woodland; support opportunities for the creation of new Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats; create, enhance, restore and connect other habitats, including links to habitats outside Maidstone Borough, where opportunities arise; v. Provide for the long term maintenance and management of all heritage and natural assets, including landscape character, associated with the development; vi. Mitigate for and adapt to the effects of climate change; and vii. Positively contribute to the improvement of accessibility of natural green space within walking distance of housing, employment, health and education facilities and to the creation of a wider network of new links between green and blue spaces including links to the Public Rights of Way network.nt management policies for Maidstone 2. Protect and enhance the character, distinctiveness, diversity and quality of Maidstone's landscape and townscape by the careful, sensitive management and design of development. 3. Where appropriate, development proposals will be expected to appraise the value of the borough s historic and natural environment through the provision of the following: Page 15 of 21 be covered by section (iv). MBC s failure to engage with its local communities to identify these areas is to be deplored.

16 i. An ecological evaluation of development sites and any additional land put forward for mitigation purposes to take full account of the biodiversity present, including the potential for the retention and provision of native plant species; ii. Heritage and arboricultural assessments to take full account of any past or present heritage and natural assets connected with the development and associated sites; and iii. A landscape and visual impact assessment to take full account of the significance of, and potential effects of change on, the landscape as an environmental resource together with views and visual amenity. 4. Publicly accessible open space should be designed as part of the overall green and blue infrastructure and layout of a site, taking advantage of the potential for multiple benefits including enhanced play, wildlife, sustainable urban drainage, tree planting and landscape provision. The form and function of green infrastructure will reflect a site's characteristics, nature, location and existing or future deficits. 5. Development proposals will not be permitted where they lead to adverse impacts on natural and heritage assets for which mitigation measures or, as a last resort, compensation appropriate to the scale and nature of the impacts cannot be achieved. Account should be taken of the Landscape Character Guidelines SPD, the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan. Policy DM4 Development on brownfield land 211 Suggested response. Boxley Parish Council would like to see MBC take a more robust stance on ensuring brownfield sites are used before greenfield sites. The policy should state that development of brownfield land is favoured ahead of greenfield sites. (Policy DM5 Air quality) 201 (Policy DM6 Non-conforming uses) 214 Policy DM7 External lighting 215 For information. MBC is now looking for Proposals for external lighting which meet the following criteria will be permitted: i. It is demonstrated that the minimum amount of lighting necessary to achieve its purpose is proposed; Page 16 of 21

17 Suggested response. This policy makes no reference to the effect external lighting has on the amenity of the Kent Downs AONB or Conservation Areas. It is considered that these should be included. (Policy DM8 Residential extensions, conversions and redevelopment 217 within the built up area) (Policy DM9 Residential premises above shops and businesses) 217 (Policy DM10 Residential garden land) 218 (Policy DM11 Housing mix) 219 (Policy DM12 Density of housing development) 220 Policy DM13 Affordable housing 221 MBC policy is for affordable housing requirements to be triggered on housing sites or mixed use development of five residential units or more. Do members wish to comment on this? Policy DM14 Local needs housing 224 Suggested response. Paragraph states that priority will be given to occupants who have a specified connection to the settlement however item 2 stipulates that the council s housing allocation scheme will be used. This is a contradiction and will result in local needs housing being allocated to the next person on the MBC housing list regardless of any connection to the settlement. (Policy DM15 Nursing and care homes) 226 (Policy DM16 Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople 227 Accommodation) (Policy DM17 Town centre uses) 228 (Policy DM18 District centres, local centres and local shops and 230 Grove Green is covered by this policy. Facilities) (Policy DM19 Signage and shop fronts) 232 (Policy DM20 Economic development) 232 (Policy DM21 Retention of employment sites) 235 For information This policy lists the various sites within the parish and their classes use designations. (Policy DM22 Open space and recreation) 238 This is for new developments. Page 17 of 21

18 (Policy DM23 Community facilities) 243 (Policy DM24 Sustainable transport) 244 (Policy DM25 Public transport) 252 (Policy DM26 Park and ride sites) 253 (Policy DM27 Parking standards) 253 For information. This policy includes requires iv. That development proposals do not exacerbate on street car parking to an unacceptable degree. 4. New developments should ensure that proposals incorporate electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Policy DM28 Renewable and low carbon energy schemes 254 Suggested response. Item 8 of this policy should be strengthen to include a statement that agricultural land used for such schemes will not be classified as brownfield sites should the installations have ceased operation. (Policy DM29 Electronic communications) 255 (Policy DM30 Mooring facilities and boat yards) (Development management policies for the town centre) 258 (Policy DM31 Primary shopping frontages) 258 (Policy DM32 Secondary shopping frontages) 259 (Policy DM33 Leisure and community uses in the town centre) Development management policies for the countryside 261 Policy DM34 Design principles in the countryside 261 It is suggested that a response is made, along the lines of At item 2 this policy should include in the list of areas that need protecting conservation areas and adjacent listed buildings. Policy currently states 2. Outside of the Kent Downs AONB, not result in harm to the identified landscapes of local value, landscapes which have been shown to have a low capacity to accommodate change, and in all other locations respect the landscape character of the locality; (Policy DM35 Conversion of rural buildings) 262 (Policy DM36 Rebuilding and extending dwellings in the countryside) 264 Policy DM37 Change of use of agricultural land to domestic garden) Land Page 18 of Suggested response. This policy should be expanded to include:

19 (Policy DM38 Accommodation for agricultural and forestry workers) 266 (Policy DM39 Live-work units) (Policy DM40 New agricultural buildings and structures) 270 (Policy DM41 Expansion of existing businesses in rural area) 271 (Policy DM42 Holiday caravan and camp sites) 272 (Policy DM43 Caravan storage in the countryside) 273 (Policy DM44 Retail units in the countryside) 274 (Policy DM45 Equestrian development ) (Delivery framework ) 277 Policy ID1 Infrastructure delivery Where there are competing demands for contributions towards the delivery of infrastructure, secured through section 106 legal agreements, the council will prioritise these demands in the manner listed below: Infrastructure priorities for residential development: 1. Affordable housing 2. Transport 3. Open space 4. Public realm 5. Health 6. Education 7. Social services 8. Utilities 9. Libraries Page 19 of 21 Automatic and continuing protection for any trees covered by TPOs that are being incorporated into the garden area. Any such new garden should be classified as a greenfield site. It is felt that the specific reference to agricultural land is unfortunate and restricting. MBC should have taken the opportunity to include Ancient Woodland into this policy. For information. This is a new policy A live-work unit is defined as the genuine and permanent integration of living and working accommodation within a single self-contained unit, where the principal occupier both lives at and works from the property. 277 Suggested response. It is considered that having Affordable Housing as a priority over transport is unsustainable. What is the point of having affordable housing without the necessary supporting infrastructure being in place?

20 10. Emergency services 11. Flood defences Infrastructure priorities for business and retail development 1. Transport 2. Public realm 3. Open space 4. Education 5. Utilities 6. Flood defences 21. (Monitoring and Review) 282 Page 20 of 21

21 Appendix 1 Page 21 of 21